Pechuga is a style of mezcal that involves suspending poultry, usually a raw chicken or turkey breast, within the still during a final distillation to infuse the spirit with flavor as the meat cooks in the hot alcohol vapors. Paquera Mezcal has taken this technique to another level, however, with the launch of the new Wagyu Ancestral Mezcal—which, as you can tell from the name, uses one of the priciest cuts of beef to give it its unique flavor.
There are some other major mezcal brands that have released pechuga expressions, some of which have also done things a little differently. Del Maguey collaborated with celebrity chef José Andrés back in 2012 on an Iberico ham pechuga mezcal. And Pal’alma Al Pastor was made using that Mexican style of roasted pork. There are also many examples of much more traditionally made pechuga mezcals. But Paquero, which produces ancestral mezcal (a defined category that uses very traditional methods), is calling this Wagyu expression a first (you’d certainly be hard pressed to find another out there, although it’s possible it was done before on a small scale).
Head mezcalero Valentin Orozco Lopez oversaw the production of this new spirit, sourcing Tajima Wagyu beef from Arrington Ranch in Twin Bridges, Montana. According to the brand, the Wagyu was wrapped in twine and suspended in the clay pots to cook for 14 hours during the first part of the distillation process. That allowed the flavor and fat from the beef to drip into the spirit, giving it a buttery finish and creamy mouthfeel.
“This new mezcal expression took over a year to develop,” said Paquera founder Ben Zerbe in a statement. “Keeping to strict traditional production methods, [it] was created from a methodology perfected by generations of dedicated family artisans. We wanted to innovate and bring something new to the table at the same time.” The mezcal was made from Espadin agave that was cooked for six days in an earthen oven using mesquite and juniper wood for fuel and flavor, and it was bottled at 48 percent ABV. The overall effect is more pronounced on the mouthfeel than the actual flavor, but this is indeed a tasty and unique mezcal that has a balance of smoke and earthiness, along with some sweet gaminess, that is worth seeking out.
You can find the new Wagyu Ancestral Mezcal available to purchase from the Paquera website now, with a price of $230 to match the high-end beef used in production. And if you’re looking for some other expressions to compare it to, check websites like ReserveBar to purchase a bottle now.
